High Efficiency Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) Power Amplifiers For SATCOM

JJW is proposing a development of high power millimeter wave MMIC amplifiers at both Ka and Q-Band to be used in the SATCOM antennas for the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical(WIN-T and the Multiband Integrated Satellite Terminals (MIST) programs. The objective of the program is to develop high efficiency(>40%) MMIC amplifiers with power output in the 1.5 to 2watt range. The frequency of the Ka-Band Amplifier is 30 to 31GHz and the Q-Band amplifier is 43.5 to 45.5GHz.The primary application is phased arrays for the Army-On-the-Move platforms where present power amplifiers have efficiencies that range from 15 to 20% that results in exceesive power consumption, thermal problems, and poor reliability due to high channel temperatures. Based on a technological comparision of semiconductor that could potentially be used for this program, MHEMT was shown to have the highest probability of meeting the program technical objectives.